NT Text: James 4:6
OT Source(s):
Source: Beale & Carson (eds.), Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (2007); Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Direct Quotation
Connection Method(s): Analogy
Significance: James introduces this citation with "Scripture says" (hē graphē legei) and quotes Proverbs 3:34 (LXX): "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (ho theos hyperēphanois antitassetai tapeinois de didōsin charin). The LXX rendering is followed closely, differing from the Hebrew masoretic text which reads "he mocks the mockers but gives favor to the afflicted." This same Proverbs text is quoted by Peter (1 Pet 5:5), indicating its importance in early Christian paraenesis. James applies the wisdom saying in the context of worldliness and spiritual adultery (4:4) — pride manifests as friendship with the world, while humility leads to submission to God (4:7). The quotation functions analogically: the wisdom principle that God resists the arrogant but favors the humble grounds James's call to repentance.
NT Use Pattern: Proverbial — God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James quotes the proverb because it is generally true, not because it predicts or prefigures.
Anchor Text: Prov 3:34 — God Opposes the Proud